Suction cleaner



p 1937- B. c. BECKER 2,093,748

SUCTION CLEANER Filed May 7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 21, 1937.

B. C. BECKER SUCTION CLEANER Filed May 7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 21, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUCTION CLEANER Bernard 0. Becker, Canton, Ohio Application May '1, 1935, Serial No. 20,225

13 Claims.

This invention relates to suction cleaners, or more particularly to means for separating dirt from dirt-laden air.

The object is to suck the dirt-laden air through a conduit which is suitably restricted to'attain a high velocity, and then to sharply divert its direction of flow; for instance, cause it to flow abruptly around a definite corner; whereas, the dirt contained therein being of greater density,

will resist the turning influence of the air, due to inertia, and pass on in substantially a straight line direction, out of the air stream, and thus separate from the air. The object is to provide a receptacle to receive the dirt at the instant it separates from the air stream, and to maintain a partial vacuum within the receptacle during the operation of the cleaner, and thus facilitate the reception and settling of the dirt. Disturbing air currents within the receptacle are to be avoided. An object is to retain the dirt within the receptacle under ordinary manipulating'conditions associated with the operation of suction I cleaners, and in this respect to utilize the influence of centrifugal force. A further object is to 5 provide a purely mechanical separation in contrast with filtration means, and accordingly attain a highly efficient fan performance or suction device. A particular object is to avoid back pres sure on the exhaust side of the suction device, and in general to avoid resistance and restrictions to air flow throughout.

Other objects will be apparent throughout the following description, and the associated drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an arrangement for separating dirt from dirt-laden air according to my invention. The device as illustrated is shown partially in vertical sectional view.

50 of showing in full elevation, some of the internal elements which obviously are shown in sectional view in Fig. 2, it is shown partially in ,vertical sectional view, also taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 4.

. Fig. 4 is a combination front elevation and ver- 55 tical sectional view of the hand cleaner illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. With respect to either view (front elevation or sectional) the cleaner .construction may be considered as being symmet- I rical to the vertical line 2-2. The sectional view is taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2. 5

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. '7; it illustrates a suction cleaner of larger size than that shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4; it is transportable over. the floor and suitable for cleaning the floor or floor coverings, and the like. 10 It embodies the dirt separating features of Fig. 1, but not the centrifugal means for retaining the dirt in the dirt receptacle. I

Fig. 6 illustrates a side elevation of the floor cleaner shown in Fig. 5. 15

Fig. 7 is a combination front elevation and vertical sectional view of the floor cleaner illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. With respect to either view (front elevation or sectional) the cleaner construction may be considered as being symmet- 20 rical to the vertical line 5-5. The sectional view is taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 5.

In carrying out this invention as illustrated in Fig. 1, a nozzle H is provided which has a relatively sharp edged termination as at I00, and is formed to provide a restricted opening as at II. This nozzle is inclosed within a casing l9, and this casing forms a suction chamber which is in open communication with an exhausting means in the form of a suction fan I 6; or in other words, it forms the suction side of a suction device which comprises a fan casing l5, said suction fan l6, and. an electric motor l8. The fan is mounted on the motor shaft and accordingly may rotate within the fan casing.

A dirt receptacle I0 is provided for receiving the dirt as it separates from the air; it has a restricted opening 20 through which, as one instance, open communication is effected between the interior of the dirt receptacle and the suction chamber formed by casing l9; however, as another instance, open communication is also effected between the interior of this dirt receptacle and the interior of the nozzle ll, through its restricted opening l1. All of this should be arranged substantially as shown, in that the nozzle ll points directly into the dirt receptacle ID, with the termination I00 thereof at proper spaced relation with respect to the rim of said restricted opening 20, whereas the same is also inclosed 5 within the casing IS.

The air stream and its direction of flow is indicated by small arrows 22, and the dirt particles by small lumps as at 23.

The mode of operation is as follows:--As the velocity at this point.

ly around therelatively sharp edged nozzle ter-' motor I! rotates the fan ii, a suction iscreated throughout the system; that is to say, it tends to exhaust the system of air. When dirt-laden air is permitted to enter the nozzle intake opening l2, it is sucked up to move towards the exhausting means I, and in the course of its travel must pass through the restricted opening. II, which is more or less restricted to attain a proper high Here the air turns abruptniination I00, to pass through the suction device where it is exhausted into the atmosphere through the exhaust port 2|. The dirt particles however will resist the turning influence of the air as it passes abruptly around said nozzle termination, this obviously being due to inertia, and accordingly will leave the air stream to move more or less in a straight line direction and enter the dirt receptacle and settle therein. The exhausting means, while sucking the air through the system, also maintains a partial vacuum within the dirt receptacle and accordingly the movement and settling of the dirt therein is facilitated.

The main air stream should not enter the dirt receptacle to any such extent that it would disturb the proper settling of the dirt; nor should the nozzle termination I" extend through the opening 20 to such extent that proper abrupt turning of the air is defeated. The space between the nozzle termination IM and the rim I of the opening 20 should be more or less according to the character of the dirt-laden air to be separated; but a reasonable amount of ordinary judgment and skill will readily determine what, in this respect, the relation of these two elements should be; however the capacity of the exhausting means and the area of the nomle opening I! should, in this connection, be given due consideration.

On the whole, the essential features are to get high velocity and sharp and abrupt turning movement for the air as it passes around the nozzle termination I00; then to have the dirt receptacle appropriately situated to receive the dirt as it leaves the air stream; and further, to

maintain a partial. vacuum and avoid air currents within the receptacle. v

With reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4;-the hand cleaner. The same features described with reference to Fig. 1, are embodied within this arrangement. The suction nozzle for the cleaner is indicatedhy 25 and leads directly into the nozzle element 28 which is provided with a relatively sharp edged termination H and formed to provide a restricted opening 21; in effect the nozzle element 28 forms a continuation or extension of the suction nozzle 25. An exhausting means in the form of a suction fan 30 surrounds the nozzle termination I01, thus forming a simtion chamber thereabout. The suction fan is carried by the suction nozzle 25 in a fashion free to' rotate as shown, and within a fan casing 29 as formed jointly by the suction nozzle element 2! and themain casing element I112.

The tubular casing 36 forms a handle for the cleaner and carries the electric motor 32. A

dirt receptacle 24 is inclosed within said handle and is connected atone end to the motor shaft, while the other end thereof connects with the suction fan 30 through the clutching arrangement 40 and 4|; hence when the motor shaft rotates, the dirt receptacle and suction fan also rotate.

The restricted opening 33, as one instance.

, ing 21 at high velocity.

provides open communication between the dirt receptacle and the suction side of the fan ill, and further, as anotherinstance, it provides open communication between said dirt receptacle and the suction nozzle 2! through the restricted opening 21 of nomle element 24. And here again the arrangement should be such so that the nozzle element 28 points directly into the dirt receptacle 24, with the termination Ili thereof at proper spaced relation with'respect to the rim of said restricted opening '22; and accordingly the nozzle element termination III is inclosed within a suction chamber formed by the suction fan ll.

In this illustration the spaced relation between v the nozzle termination Ill and the rim of the restricted opening 33 is somewhat greater, relatively, than the relation of corresponding parts in Fig. 1. This however illustrates permissible, or desirable, deviations for the purposes here tofore explained with reference to Fig. 1.

The mode of operation of this hand cleaner is as follows:As the motor 22 drives the fan 30 as heretofore described, a suction is created throughout the system. When the nozzle intake opening 28 is'applied to the article to be cleaned, dirt-laden air is sucked up to move towards the exhausting means 30, and in the course of its travel it must pass through the restricted open- The air turns abruptly around the nozzle termination lill to pass through the suction fan and exhaust into the atmosphere through exhaust ports 34. The dirt particles however will resist the turning influence of the air, as heretofore described with reference to Fig. 1, and settle within the dirt receptacle 24- where a partial vacuum is maintained.

As cleaning operations proceed, the dirt receptacle becomes filled with dirt,-which sooner'or later of course must be emptied. To accomplish this the handle 36 is separably connected to the main casing I02 through an interlocking means in the form of a bayonet connection 46, and accordingly when this connection is separated, the handle 38 containing the motor 32, and the dirt receptacle 24, forms one unit; while the fan casing 29 to which is fixed the suction fan 30 through the ball bearing mounting 3i forms the other unit. To make this separation complete an interlocking connection between the suction fan 30 and the dirt receptacle 24 is also necessary, and this connection must be capable of transmitting rotating motion from the dirt receptacle 'to the suction fan.

The separable connection between the suction fan 30 and the dirt receptacle 24, comprises a clutching arrangement formed by a saw-toothed ring 4| as shown, and definitely fixed to the dirt saw toothed rings readily engage and separate and form a clutching device capable of transmitting rotating motion from the dirt receptacle 24 to the suction fan II. After the handle unit is separated from the fan casing unit, the dirt may be emptied from the dirt receptacle in an ordinary fashion, however, as a convenience there is provided a containerv 45, made preferably of paper of a reasonable stiff quality so as to retain its shape, and formed to fit snug within the dirt receptacle; this containermay be removed bodily with the dirt contained therein, and the whole disposed of asmay be desired.

Inasmuch as a hand cleaner of this sort is turned in most every conceivable position during the cleaning operations, the dirt within the dirt receptacle would ordinarily under favorable conditions fall through the opening 33 andb'e blown out through the exhaust ports 34 by the action of the fan 30; but since the dirt receptacle rotates in this case the dirt will readily contact with the inner rotating surface thereof, and cling thereto 'through the influence of centrifugal force, and accordingly will not fall from the receptacle, or in other words, will not spill out during the cleaning operations.

With reference to the suction fan construction;--This fan comprises two disks 9| and 92, with a hole at the center of each; they are connected by the fan blades 43 and thereby held in definite coaxial relation. The blades extend radially towards the periphery of said disks and away from said holes, as particularly shown in the sectional view portion of Fig. 4'; and accordingly inlet and exhaust ports are provided, respectively, at the center and periphery of the fan.

With reference to the suction fan mounting; A hub 49 extends from one of said disks to ride in the ball bearing mounting 3| which is carried by the nozzle element 25; and thus the fan is rotatably mounted. This hub has a hole through the center thereof in coaxial relation with the holes at'the centers of said disks, and accordingly an unobstructed, through, and straightway opening is provided at the axis of the fan; hence, the

' dirt contained in the dirt-laden air may enter the dirt receptacle 24, from the suction nozzle 25--28, by moving in a straight line direction, while the clean air turns abruptly to enter the channels formed by the fan blades 43 in conjunction with the disks 9I and 92, and thence to be exhausted into the atmosphere.

With reference to Figs. 5, 6 and '7 ;--floor cleaner. The same features described with reference to Fig. 1, are embodied within this arrangement. However in contrast with the hand cleaner of Figs. 2, 3 and 4, there is no centrifugal influence to retain the dirt within the dirt receptacle. This cleaner is provided with four wheels 10 to permit traction thereof over the floor. A handle I4 is provided for guiding and pushing the same as may be required to bring the suction nozzle opening 52 over those portions of the rug or floor which are to be cleaned. The rug is illustrated at 6| as it normally would be lifted from the floor to span over the nozzle opening 52 by the action of the suction device, and thus permit air to be sucked through from beneath and dislodge the dirt.

The suction nozzle is indicated by 5| and leads directly into the hollow hub I03 of the exhausting means 60, and which is formed to provide a restricted opening 83, and a relatively sharp edged termination I05 for the suction nozzle; for in effect the hub I03 forms substantially a continuation or extension of the suction nozzle 5|.

The exhausting means in the form of a suction fan 60 comprises two disks I01 and I08, with radially disposed blades I04 to form a suction chamber at the axis of the fan and around the restricted opening 83 of the suction nozzle. This fan is provided with a second hub I06 which is also hollow and coaxial in relation to the axis of the fan. All of this should be arranged substantially as shown to provide an unobstructed conduit from the point of nozzle opening 52 to the sealed or closed end of the dirt receptacle 50. This conduit should be straightway for a portion of its length at least, and where it passes through the suction chamber as formed at the axis of the fan I50, and it should have a gap in its running length within this suction chamber, or otherwise be provided with suitable openings at this point so as to effect open communication therebetween, and also to provide an abrupt turning point for the air as it passes from the interior of the suction nozzle 5|, through said suction chamber and out through the channels formed by the .fan blades I04 and disks I01 and I08, and thence to be exhausted by the action of the fan to pass through the exhaust ports 63 and into the exterior atmosphere; while the dirt however, separates from the air at this abrupt turning point, due to inertia, and settles in the rear end of said conduit, or in other words, within the sealed. dirt receptacle 50.

The suction nozzle 5| is provided with a shroud 53 to form a fan casing or protecting cage around the fan. This shroud as forming part of the suction nozzle is connected to a main frame structure I I. The dirt receptacle 50 is connected to the opposite side of this frame structure by a separable connection in the form of a bayonet joint 66, so that the same may readily be removed for emptying the dirt; it is also provided with an eration with the endless belt 59.

The fan '60 is rotatably mounted through the ball bearing mountings 54 and 55, which on the one side is carried by the suction nozzle 5|, and on the other by the main frame structure I I.

In this illustration the spaced relation between the nozzle termination I05 and the rim of the opening 61 is somewhat greater, relatively, than the relation of corresponding parts in both Fig. 1, and Fig. 2. Here again permissible deviations are presented to bring out that such proportions may be utilized for the purpose of getting more or less perfect separation of dirt from the air; but in consequence however, of obtaining a somewhat poorer or better fan performance, or motor power consumption, or quietness of operation in view of the high velocity of the air around'the prescribed abrupt corner. However the more sudden and abrupt the air is turned in its direction of flow around the nozzle termination, the more perfect will be the air and dirt separation, in the absence of. other disturbing features. In the three arrangeme'nts herein shown and described, the dirt receptacle should be substantially sealed against air leakage by suitable mechanical fitting, or

auxiliary container Ii0 for the same purpose, and

otherwise, and thus avoid disturbing air currents within the receptacle.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is as follows:-

1. Means for separating dirt from dirt-laden air, comprising a nozzle having a sharp edged termination and restricted opening; a suction device comprising a suction chamber and exhausting means, said suction chamberforming the suction end of the suction device and inclosing said nozzle termination, said exhausting means having its intake in communication with the suction chamber but in no way obstructing a straight line exit of dirt from said nozzle; and a dirt receptacle having communication with said suction chamber through a restricted opening and mounted directly in front of said nozzle termination whereby said nozzle points directly into the receptacle through said restricted opening with a definite space between said nozzle termination and the rim of said receptacle opening so that air drawn through said tacle having communication with said suction chamber through a restricted opening; a suction nozzle provided with a sharp edged termination which forms a restricted opening therefor, and projecting through said suction chamber to point directly into said receptacle with said termination thereof situated within the rim of said restricted receptacle opening, but in spaced relation with respect thereto; and a suction device comprising exhausting means having its intake in communication with said suction chamber and serving to draw air through said nozzle, abruptly around the sharp edged termination thereof and into said suction chamber, and thence to exhaust the air.

3. Means for separating dirt from dirt-laden air, comprising a suction chamber; a dirt receptacle having communication with said suction chamber through a restricted opening; a suction nozzle provided with a sharp edged termination which forms a restricted opening therefor, and projecting partially through said suction chamber and mounted to point directly into said receptacle through said restricted receptacle opening and from a point directly opposite thereto, thereby providing a conduit for unobstructed straightway communication between said nozzle and said receptacle through the intervention of said suction chamber; and a suction device comprising exhausting means having its intake in communication with said suction chamber but in no way obstructing the communication between said nozzle and said receptacle, said suction device serving to draw air through said nozzle, abruptly around the sharp edged termination thereof and into said suction chamber, and thence to exhaust the air.

4. Means for separating dirt from dirt-laden air, comprising a suction chamber; a dirt receptacle having communication with said suction chamber through a restricted opening; a suction nozzle having'a restricted opening provided with a sharp edged rim and mounted to point directly into said receptacle opening from a point within said suction chamber and directly opposite thereto, thereby providing a conduit for unobstructed straight-way communication between said nozzle and said receptacle through the intervention of said suction chamber; and a suction device comprising exhausting means having its intake in communication with said suction chamber but in no way obstructing the communication between said nozzle and said receptacle, said suction device serving to draw air through said nozzle, abruptly around the sharp edged termination thereof and into said suction chamber, and thence to exhaust the air.

5. Means for separating dirt from dirt-laden air, comprising a suction chamber; a dirt receptacle having communication with said suction chamber through a definitely prescribed opening;

a suction nozzle mounted to point directly into said receptacle through said opening but in spaced relation with respect to the rim of the opening, thereby providing a three-way open communication between the interior of said nozzle, the interior of said receptacle, and said suction chamber, each with respect to each other; and a suction device having its intake ports in direct communication with said suction chamber, but in no way obstructing said three-way open communication, thereby necessitating the air to turn abruptly around the termination of said nozzle as it is sucked from the interior of said nozzle to enter said suction chamber and thence to be exhausted into the atmosphere through the action of said suction device.

6. Means for separating dirt from dirt-laden air, comprising a suction chamber; a straightway conduit passing through'said suction chamber and having one end thereof open to permit the entrance of dirt-laden air, while the other end is sealed against air leakage to form a chamber for receiving the dirt contained in said dirt-laden air, and a gap or opening in said conduit at a point within said suction chamber to form communication therebetween; and a suction device having its intake port in communication with said suction chamber, thereby necessitating the air to turn abruptly around the edge of said gap or opening in said conduit as it is sucked from the interior of said conduit to enter said suction chamber and thence to be exhausted into the atmosphere through the action of said suction device; while the dirt passes straight on, due to inertia, to settle in the closed end of said conduit.

7. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a suction fan having an unobstructed through opening at the axis thereof which forms a suction chamber, the blades thereof diverging radially from said through opening to form inlet and exhaust ports, the inlet ports communicating with said suction chamber and the exhaust ports communicating with the exterior atmosphere; a suction nozzle leading into one end of said suction chamber; a dirt receptacle having a restricted opening which provides direct communication between the interior thereof and the other end of said suction chamber; means for rotatably mounting said fan, and means for driving said fan.

8. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a suction device comprising a fan casing having exhaust ports; a suction fan rotatably mounted within said casing in operable relation to exhaust through said exhaust ports and having an unobstructed through opening at the axis thereof which forms the suction side of the fan; a suction nozzle leading into one end of said fan opening; and a dirt receptacle having a restricted opening which provides direct communication between the interior thereof and the other end of said fan opening.

9. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a main casing having an exhaust opening; a suction fan rotatably mounted in said casing in operable relation to exhaust through said exhaust opening, and also having a through opening at the axis thereof to serve as the suction end of the fan; a suction nozzle leading into said suction end of said fan; a partition adjacent to said fan and on the opposite side thereof with respect to said suction nozzle, and having an opening coaxial in relation to said through opening in said fan; a dirt receptacle arranged to inclose said opening in said partition, thereby providing open communication between said dirt receptacle and said suction end of said fan; and means for rotating said fan.

10. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a fan having two disks, an opening at the axis of each disk, and a series of fan blades connecting the two disks in parallel and coaxial relation and extending radially towards the periphery of said disks and away from said openings, thereby providing inlet and exhaust ports respectively at the center and periphery of the fan and also an unobstructed through opening at the axis of the fan; means for rotatably mounting said fan but retaining said unobstructed through opening; means for conducting dirt-laden air into one end of said unobstructed through opening, and a receptacle in open communication with the other end of said unobstructed through opening.

11. A suction fan comprising a frame structure of radially diverging blades with an unobstructed, through, and straightway opening at the axis thereof; and a hub at the axis thereof.

which is hollow and thereby in effect extends said "nobstructed, through, and straightway openin and means for rotatably mounting the fan comprising an annular bearing in correlation with said hub, whereby said unobstructed, through, and straightway opening extends 7 through said bearing as well as the hub.

12. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a main casing having exhaust openings; a suction fan rotatably mounted within said casing in operable relation to exhaust through said exhaust openings, and having a through opening atthe axis thereof to serve as the suction side of the fan; a suction nozzle carried by said casingand leading into one end of said through opening; a dirt receptacle within said casing and having a restricted opening which communicates with the other end of saidthrough opening; means for rotatably mounting said dirt receptacle; means for connecting said dirt receptacle with said fan whereby they must rotate in unison; and means for rotating said fan and said dirt receptacle.

13. In a suction cleaner, the combination of asaid motor and said fan and mounted to rotate through the action of said motor; means for connecting said fan with said receptacle whereby they must rotate in unison; and a partition between said fan blades and said receptacle having an opening coaxial in relation to said nozzle opening and said fan, said opening providing open communication between said receptacle and said nozzle opening, and also between said receptacle and said exhaust ports through the channels formed by said radially disposed fan blades BERNARD C. BECKER. 

